ottawa headshot photographer

before and after - a headshot case study

Buying a pen does not make you a writer. Buying a car does not make you a Formula-1 driver.

Buying a camera does not make you a photographer.

If your current headshot was taken by a 'friend with a fancy camera' (FWFC), you're not doing yourself any favours.

before

Anne-Carolyne is an aspiring local actor with incredible talent. Her previous headshot was taken by a FWFC in the backyard of their home. This is actually not a bad shot - the natural lighting works, there are no harsh shadows across the face, you can see the length of her hair and the colour of her eyes. There is no distracting makeup or jewelry. You can get a sense of her age and fitness. These are all good things.

And then you notice the background distractions, the hair crowding the side of her eyes, the layered clothing, the forward shoulder lean, the high camera angle, the darkness under her eyes, the tentative expression, the wind blowing her hair to one side, the confining crop. These elements give it away as a FWFC shot.

after

Seems obvious now, doesn't it. The quality and consistency of the lighting, the focus on the expression, the crop that draws you in, the simple elegance of a white background, the variety of looks, the simple necklines, the brightness of the eyes. It's all there.

These images have punch. Now look again at your current headshot. Then call me.